Understanding your
Aged Care Costs
Understanding your residential aged care costs
Moving into an aged care home is a big decision, and it’s important to understand the costs associated with your care.
Residential aged care fees are regulated by the Australian Government and may be subsidised based on your income and assets. Your fees will include a care fee and an accommodation fee. The care fee is made up of a basic daily care fee and a means-tested care fee.
Additional services
We provide additional services to support your lifestyle and wellbeing. Where available, additional services incur a small daily fee, on top of your basic daily care fee. ‘Low means’ residents are exempt from fees for additional services. Terms and conditions apply.
-
Covers your daily living costs (e.g. meals, power, laundry, personal care)
Paid by all aged care home residents
Everyone can be asked to pay this fee
Fee is calculated at 85% of the single person Age Pension
Adjusted each March and September in line with changes to the Age Pension.
-
You can be asked to pay this fee if your income and assets are over a certain amount
Calculated by the Department of Human Services (DHS)
Annual and lifetime caps apply.
-
Covers your accommodation in the home
May be met in full or in part by the government
Only payable if your income and assets are over a certain amount
Assessed by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
-
A lump sum payment that’s refunded when you leave. It differs by aged care home and is based on room pricing.
-
A daily payment that’s billed monthly. It differs by aged care home and is based on room pricing. This payment isn’t refundable when you leave.
-
Combines RAD and DAP, so you pay part lump sum and part daily payment. Only the RAD component is refundable when you leave.
-
Similar to the combination option, but the DAP is taken from the RAD, and the balance refunded when you leave.
If you need to pay an accommodation fee, there are 4 ways you can do so: